Stacker mechanism for coil springs



Sept. 20, 9 M. J. NELSON ET AL 2,718,315

STACKER MECHANISM FOR COIL SPRINGS Filed Oct. 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TORS M7 222 Jfidfam 72mg; jKZmr' W WS M. J. NELSON ET AL 2,718,315

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 STACKER MECHANISM FOR COIL SPRINGS IN V EN TORS Sept. 20, 1955 Filed Oct. 6, 1954 Sept. 20, 1955 M. J. NELSON ET AL 2,718,315

. STACKER MECHANISM FOR COIL SPRINGS Filed Oct. 6, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 jjja IN V EN TORS Sept. 20, 1955 M. J. NELSON ET AL STACKER MECHANISM FOR COIL SPRINGS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 6, 1954 INVEN .s J 1% Z5070 faaazzaj'fimh W W United States PatentO STACKER MECHANISM FOR COIL SPRINGS Martin J. Nelson, Chicago, and Thaddeus S. Cetnar, I embard, 111., assignors to Wunderlich Spring Machinery Company, a corporation of Illinois Application October 6, 1954, Serial No. 460,538

19 Claims. (Cl. 214-6) This invention relates to stacker mechanisms for coil spring producing machines and is an improvement over that disclosed in Calvin G. Corser Patent No. 2,498,850, issued February 28, 1950, and over that disclosed in copending application of Martin J. Nelson and Edward Turecki, Serial No. 303,377, filed August 8, 1952. The stacker mechanism of this invention, while generally applicable to various types of coil spring producing machines, is particularly adaptable for use with the coil spring producing machine disclosed in William E. Wunderlich Patent No. 2,604,202, issued July 22, 1952.

Coil spring producing machines, such, for example, as the one disclosed in the aforementioned William E. Wunderlich patent, usually include a coiling mechanism, a pair of knotting mechanisms, a stacker mechanism, and a transfer mechanism for transferring and advancing the coil springs from the coiling mechanism through the knotter mechanisms to the stacker mechanism. The stacker mechanism receives the knotted coil springs from the transfer mechanism and stacks the same in conveniently handled bundles. In so stacking, each coil spring is telescopically received or nested in each previously stacked coil spring. Considerable difiiculty has been encountered in such stacker mechanisms in accurately nesting the coil springs in a stack and in advancing the stacked coil springs into and along the stacking channel.

It is desirable to stack the springs in such a manner that the knotted portions of the springs are at the forward part of the springs as they are advanced and telescopically received or nested in the stack of springs. This greatly facilitates the stacking. When the stacker mechanism is mounted on the coil spring producing machine at the three oclock position, as illustrated in said William E. Wunderlich patent, the coil springs are not presented to the stacker mechanism with their knots forwardly positioned and, accordingly, considerable difliculty was encountered with the stacker mechanism of that patent in properly stacking the knotted coil springs. To obviate that difficulty the stacker mechanism of said Calvin G. Corser patent was devised, wherein the stacker mechanism thereof, also located at the three oclock position, was provided with a pair of rotary discs for forwardly rotating the coil springs as they are presented to the stack of springs in the stacker mechanism. However, considerable difficulty was there encountered in accurately removing the coil springs from between the pair of rotary discs and advancing them into the stack of springs.

Another manner of presenting the coil springs, with their knots substantially forwardly facing, to the stack of springs is disclosed in said aforementioned copending application wherein the stacking mechanism is located at the four-thirty oclock position on the coil spring producing machine so that rotation of the coil springs is not necessary. When, however, in such an arrangement, an annealing mechanism, located at the six oclock position on the coil spring producing machine, is utilized for aligning the knots in the individual coil springs prior to 2,718,315 Patented Sept. 20, 1955 stacking the same, which is not disclosed in the aforementioned Calvin G. Corser patent, sufiicient time is not provided, between the six oclock and four-thirty oclock positions, to allow adequate cooling of the coil springs before stacking the same. Thus, when annealing before stacking is utilized, it is desirable to stack the coil springs at the three oclock position, where forward rotation of the annealed coil springs is also desirable for accurate stacking.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved stacker mechanism for coil springs, which accurately nests coil springs in uniform stacks, wherein the coil springs are forwardly rotated in a simple and foolproof manner as they are advanced through the stacker mechanism to present the same, knots forwardly, into the stack of springs, wherein the coil springs are progressively advanced in controlled stages through the stacker mechanism to assure accurate and uniform nesting and stacking of the coil springs, wherein adjustments may be readily made for accommodating coil springs of difierent diameters and different lengths, which is simple and straight forward in construction and foolproof in operation, and which may be inexpensively manufactured and serviced. The stacker mechanism of this invention differs generally from the stacker mechanism of the aforementioned Calvin G. Corser patent in the manner in which the coil springs are rotated and from the stacker mechanisms of said Calvin G. Corser patent and of said aforementioned copending application in the manner in which the coil springs and the stack of springs are advanced, the coil springs being advanced and nested in accurately controlled stages.

Further objects of this invention reside in the details of construction of the stacker mechanism and in the cooperative relationships between the component parts thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims and drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an illustration of a coil spring producing machine with the stacker mechanism of this invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the stacker mechanism taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a coil spring which is adapted to be nested in stacks by the stacker mechanism of this invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through the stacker mechanism taken substantially along the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the stacker mechanism illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 and taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are vertical sectional views through the stacker mechanism taken substantially along the lines 6-6, 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9, respectively;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a stack of coil springs which have been stacked by the stacker mechanism of this invention;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view in perspective of the stacker mechanism of this invention with the carriage in the retracted position;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view in perspective similar to Fig. 11 but showing the carriage in advanced position.

Referring first to Fig. 3, a coil spring to be stacked by the stacking mechanism is generally designated at 10. It includes a plurality of inner convolutions or turns 11 and a pair of end turns 12. The ends turns 12 terminate in knots 13. The coil spring may be plain, as illustrated, or the end turns thereof may be crimped or offset, if so desired. As will be noted, the knots 13 are in substantial alignment, this being brought about by the annealing of the coil spring. The stacker mechanism of this invention nests or stacks the coil springs 16 into a bundle or stack of coil springs as indicated in-Fig. wherein the knots 13 of the coil springs are forwardly arranged and lie adjacent to each other.

Any suitable machine may be utilized for the purpose of fabricating the coil springs 10 and for purposes of illustration in this application Fig. 1 discloses a coil spring producing machine generally designated at 15, which may be of the type disclosed in the aforementioned William E. Wunderlich patent. The machine 15 includes a base or standard 16 and a coiling mechanism 17 supported thereby for coiling wire into the double end coil spring 10. When the coil spring is thus formed, it is grasped by fingers 18 carried by radial arms 19 of a transfer mechanism 20, which is intermittently rotated in a counterclockwise direction as illustrated in Fig. 1. The coil springs 14) thus formed and grasped by the fingers 18 are advanced from a twelve oclock position to a knotting mechanism 21 located at a nine oclock position wherein one end of the coil spring 16 is knotted as at 13 and, if desired, crimped into an offset. The coil springs 10 are then advanced to a second knotting mechanism 22 located at a seven-thirty oclock position Where the other end of the coil spring is knotted and may also be crimped into an offset, if so desired. The knotted coil spring 16 is then advanced by the transfer mechanism to a heat treating mechanism 23 which may take the form disclosed in Patent No. 2,678,989 issued May 18, 1954. Before the coil springs are heat treated or annealed by the heat treating mechanism 23 the knots 13 thereof are not in alignment but after heat treating they come into alignment with each other as illustrated in Fig. 3, this heat treating taking place at the six oclock position. After the coil springs 10 are heat treated, they are advanced by the transfer mechanism to the stacker mechanism of this invention, generally designated at 24, wherein the coil springs are stacked in nested form. The stacker mechanism 24 is located at the three oclock position. When the coil springs 10 are presented to the stacker mechanism at this three oclock position their knots 13 are upwardly arranged as illustrated in Fig. 4. Since the coil spring producing machine illustrated in Fig. 1 is fully disclosed in the aforementioned William E. Wunderlich patent, a further description thereof is not considered necessary.

The stacker mechanism 24 of this invention includes a base member 27 to one end of which is secured by bolts 28 a bracket 29. The other end of the base member 27 is provided with slots 30 for receiving bolts 31 for adjustably securing'thereto a bracket 32. The brackets 29 and 32 are secured by screws 33 andv 34 to a transverse bracket 36 provided with slots 35. Thus, the bracket 29 may be adjustably positioned on the bracket 36 and the bracket 32 may be adjustably positioned with respect to the bracket 29, the base member 27 and brackets 29, 32 and 36 being rigidly secured together in proper adjusted position. The bracket 36 is provided with an arm 37 which is secured by slots and bolts 38. to a bracket 39 which in turn is carried by a support 40 secured to the coil spring making machine.

The brackets 29 and 32 carry side plate members 42 and 43, respectively, these side plate members being spaced apart a desired amount and extending lengthwise of the stacker mechanism. The side plate member 42 includes a pair of bars 44 and 45 which are secured to the bracket 29 by screws 46. These bars 44 and 45 are spaced apart to form a longitudinally extending slot 47 therebetween. In a like manner the side plate member 43 is formed from a pair of spaced apart bars 48 and 49 which are secured to the bracket member 32 by screws 59, the spacing between the bars 48 and 49 forming a longitudinally extending slot 51. The bars 44 and 45 of the side plate member 42 are also secured by screws 53 to a bracket 54 which in turn is secured by screws 55' to a cross member 56. In a like manner the bars 48 and 49 of the side plate member 43 are secured by screws 57 to a bracket 58 which in turn is adjustably secured by screws 59 and slots 60 to the cross member 56. In this way, both ends of the side plate members 42 and 43 are securely fastened together in an adjustable manner so as to provide a rigid assembly. A pair of guides 62 and 63 are suitably secured to the brackets 54 and 53 to form channels for supporting and conveying the stacked coil springs which are stacked by the stacker mechanism of this invention.

A pair of plates 65 and 66 are secured by screws 67 and 68 to the forward ends of the bars 44 and 45 of the side plate member 42 and the forward ends of the bars 48 and 49 of the side plate member 43. These plates 65 and 66 are mounted on the inside of the side plate members 42 and 43 and their lower ends diverge as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. As the coil springs 10 are advanced by the transfer mechanism 20 to the three oclock position the coil springs are carried between the plates 65 and 66 and due to the diverging character of these plates, each coil spring is lodged under considerable compression between these plates. The coil spring is then released by the transfer mechanism between the plates 65 and 66. Since the coil springs are compressed between the plates 65 and 66 they are firmly held in place therebetween even though the transfer mechanism releases them at this point.

A carriage 70 is slidably mounted on the side plate members 42 and 43 for longitudinal movement between a retracted position illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 11 and an advanced position illustrated in Fig. 12. This carriage 70 includes a bracket 71 which is secured by screws 72 to a bracket 73. It also includes a bracket 74 which is adjustably secured by screws 75 and slots 76 to the bracket 73. The brackets 71 and 74 straddle the side plate members 42 and 43. A bar 73 is secured by a screw 79 to the bracket 71 and this bar 73 slides upon the top of the bar 45. A second bar 80 is secured to the bracket 71 by a screw 81, this second bar 80 sliding in the slot 47 formed in the side plate member 42 by the spaced apart bars 44 and 45. In a like manner a bar 82 is secured to the bracket 74 by a screw 83, this bar 82 riding on top of the bar 4'9. A bar 84 is also secured to the bracket 74 by a screw 85, this bar 84 sliding in the slot 51 in the side plate member 43 formed by the spaced apart bars 43 and 49. A member 87 is secured to the bracket 73 by screws 88 and this member 87 is provided with a pivot pin 89 to which is secured one end of an adjustable link 99, 91. The other end of the adjustable link 9! 91, as shown in Fig. 1, is pivoted at 92 to an oscillating arm 93 operated in timed relation with the transfer mechanism 20. Thus, each time that the transfer mechanism 26 is intermittently advanced the carriage 70 of the transfer mechanism 24 is advanced and retracted. A pair of blocks 95 and 96 are secured to the brackets 29 and 32 to assist in the guiding of the carriage in its longitudinal movement.

The side plate members 42 and 43 and their diverging plates 65 and 66 form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression from the transfer mechanism, this first channel portion being coextensive with the plates 65 and 66. The plates 65 and 66 and hence the side plate members 42 and 43 terminate in a first step 100 to mark the end of the first narrow channel portion and to mark the beginning of a second wider channel portion which receives with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion. The side plate members 42 and 43 are provided with further steps 101, 102 and 103 for demarking further subsequent wider channel portions. The second channel portion is located between the steps 100 and 191, the third channel portion is located between the steps 101 and 102, the fourth channel portion is located between the steps 102 and 103 and the fifth channel portion is located beyond the step 103. Each of these channel portions become successively wider so that when the springs reach. the, fifth arrests channel portion beyond the step 103 there is substantially no compression of the springs at that point and the springs which are nested ride freely in the channel guides 62 and 63. It is here noted that the first and second channel portions are at least as long as the diameters of the coil springs while the third and fourth channel portions are shorter than the diameters of the springs. By reason of this arrangement telescoping or nesting of the coil springs takes place in the fourth and fifth channel portions.

A pair of arms 105 and 106 are secured by screws 107 to the forward ends of the bars 78 and 82 of the carriage 70. These arms 105 and 106 extend downwardly over the diverging side plates 65 and 66. When the carriage is retracted, the arms 105 and 106 are in the positions illustrated in Figs. 4 and 11 and when the carriage is advanced, they are moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 12. The arms 105 and 106 are provided with curved coil spring engaging surfaces 108 for engaging the end turns 12 of the coil spring to advance the coil spring from the first channel portion over the first step 100 into the second channel portion upon advancing of the carriage 70. A shoulder 110 is secured to the base member 27 by means of screws 111. This shoulder 110 is in the path of movement of an end turn 12 of the coil spring as it is being moved from the first channel portion to the second channel portion. During this movement the end turn of the coil spring is confined between the shoulder 110, adjacent the step 100, and the spring engaging surface 108 on the arm 105. This confining of the coil spring causes it to roll over the shoulder 110 for rotating the coil forwardly as it is advanced by the arms 105 and 106. As seen in Fig. 4, the coil spring in the second channel portion has been rotated forwardly by this action. Preferably, the forward rotation of the coil spring is only partially completed at this particular point, further forward rotation taking place as the coil springs are progressively advanced through the remaining portion of the stacker mechanism.

As will be seen more clearly in Figs. 4, 11 and 12 the bars 80 and 84 are stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders 113, 114 and 115 arranged therealong. These shoulders 113, 114 and 115 lie within the confines of the slots 47 and 51 in the side plate members 42 and 43 at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage 70 is retracted. When, however, the carriage 70 is advanced these shoulders 113, 114 and 115 protrude into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions, respectively. This occurs during each advancing movement of the carriage 70. In other words, the shoulder 113 is arranged behind the step 100, the shoulder 114 is arranged behind the step 101 and the shoulder 115 is arranged behind the step 102 when the carriage is retracted. When, however, the carriage is advanced the shoulder 113 is advanced adjacent to the step 101, the shoulder 114 is advanced adjacent the step 102 and the shoulder 115 is advanced adjacent the step 103. Thus, in the stacker mechanism the coil springs are moved from the first channel portion to the second channel portion by the arm 105 and 106, from the second channel portion to the third channel portion by the shoulder 113, from the third channel portion to the fourth channel portion by the shoulder 114 and from the fourth channel portion to the fifth channel portion by the shoulder 115. By this arrangement the coil springs are advanced through the stacker mechanism in controlled progressive fashion. Since the third and fourth channel portions are shorter than the diameter of the coil springs, the coil springs are telescoped or nested in the fourth and fifth channel portions, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The steps 102 and 103 in the side plate members assure proper nesting and the steps 100, 101, 102 and 103 prevent the coil springs from backing up when the carriage 70 is retracted. The coil springs are closely nested or stacked in the fifth channel portion and are forced forwardly by the shoulders on the bars along the channel guide 62 where they are freely supported. To prevent the coil springs from falling downwardly in the stacker mechanism the bottom of the stacker mechanism is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending guide members 117.

A rod 120, secured by nuts 121 to the bracket 36, extends longitudinally along the stacker mechanism between the side plate members thereof. This rod engages the inner convolutions 11 of the coil springs from the top side and operates to guide the coil springs and maintain them against the guide members 117 as they are advanced through the stacker mechanism. A second rod 122 is secured to the base member 27 by nuts 123 and this rod 122 also extends longitudinally along the stacker mechanism between the side plates thereof. This rod 122 also engages the inner convolutions 11 of the coil springs but from the under side. As shown more clearly in Fig. 5, this rod 122 slants inwardly a slight amount. As the coil springs are advanced along the stacker mechanism this rod 122, in engaging the inner convolutions 11 of the coil springs, causes the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are so advanced, this additional forward rotation being illustrated in Fig. 4. Thus, when the coil springs reach the fifth channel portion of the stacker mechanism the knots 13 thereof are completely forwardly arranged so that best stacking efficiency is obtained.

In the stacker mechanism of this invention the coil springs are progressively advanced in steps therethrough and this advancing of the coil springs is accurately controlled at all times. By reason of the shoulder 110 adacent the first step 100 and the rod 122 the coil springs 10 are also progressively rotated in a forward direction as they are advanced through the stacker mechanism so that the knots 13 of the coil springs are forwardly arranged when they are stacked. Of course, if rotation of the coil springs is not desired these latter features of this invention may be omitted. The stacking of the coil springs is brought about through several controlled steps rather than by a single step so that the stacking is more accurately controlled. The position of the stacker mechanism 24 with respect to the 'transfer mechanism 20 is adjustable so that coil springs of various diameters may be readily stacked. The stacker mechanism is also completely adjustable as to width for accommodating coil springs of difierent lengths. The stacker mechanism is simple in construction and foolproof in operation inasmuch as it utilizes a minimum number of moving parts.

While for purposes of illustration, one form of this invention has been disclosed other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure and, therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the step into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, and a stationary shoulder located adjacent the step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to the second chan nel portion.

2. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequeut progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel. portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage.

3. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding chanel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable aiong the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is'advanced, each of'said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, at least some of said subsequent channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested and stacked as they are progressively advanced through said. channel portions.

4. A stacker mechanism for coil springs. comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying chanel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage.

5. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, the third and fourth channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested in the fourth channel portion and closely stacked in the fifth channel portion.

6. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, and means including a rod extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the subsequent channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs for guiding the same as they are progressively advanced along said subsequent channel portions.

7. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the subsequent channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs front above and below for guiding and forwardly rotating the coil springs as they are progressively advanced along said subsequent channel portions.

8. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first'step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth. wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, and means including a rod extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the second, third, fourth and fifth channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs for guiding the same as they are progressively advanced along said channel portions.

9. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and re tracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriagew being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the second, third, fourth and fifth channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs from above and below for guiding and forwardly rotating the same as they are progressively advanced along said channel portions.

10. ,A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising,

a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, at least some of said subsequent channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested and stacked as they are progressively advanced through said channel portions, and

means including a rod extending longitudinally between.

the side plate members along the subsequent channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs for guiding the same as they are progressively advanced along said subsequent channel portions.

11. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, at least some of said subsequent channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested and stacked as they are progressively advanced through said channel portions, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the subsequent channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs from above and below for guiding and forwardly rotating the coil springs as they are progressively advanced along said subsequent channel portions.

12. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, the third and fourth channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested in the fourth channel portion and closely stacked in the fifth channel portion, and means including a rod extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the second, third, fourth and fifth channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs for guiding the same as they are progressively advanced along said channel portions.

13. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between re tracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms carried by the carriage on the inside of the side plate members and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, the third and fourth channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested in the fourth channel portion and closely stacked in the fifth channel portion, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the second, third, fourth and fifth channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs from above and belowfor guiding and forwardly rotating the same as they are progressively advanced along said channel portions.

14. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the first step into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to said next succeeding channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming til the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage.

15. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the step into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to the second channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage.

16. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the first step into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to said next succeeding channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, at least some of said subsequent channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested and stacked as they are progressively advanced through said channel portions.

17. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the steps into the second channel portion as the carriage is advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to the second channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the first, second and third channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively Wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, the third and fourth channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are 16 nested in the fourth channel portion and closely stacked in the fifth channel portion.

18. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate member's forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a plurality of steps spaced therealong to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a plurality of subsequent progressively wider channel portions for progressively receiving with less compression coil springs from the next preceding channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the first step into the next succeeding channel portion as the carriage is advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to said next succeeding channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members at the channel portions thereof when the carriage is retracted and protruding into the subsequent wider channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to progressively advance the coil springs to the next succeeding channel portions during each advancing movement of the carriage, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the subsequent channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs from above and below for guiding and forwardly rotating the coil springs as they are progressively advanced along said subsequent channel portions.

19. A stacker mechanism for coil springs comprising, a pair of stationary elongated spaced apart side plate members forming a coil spring carrying channel, each side plate member having a first step to form a first narrow channel portion for receiving coil springs under compression and a second wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the first channel portion, a second step to form a third wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the second channel portion, a third step to form a fourth wider channel portion for receiving with less compression coil springs from the third channel portion and a fourth step to form a fifth wider channel portion for receiving with no compression coil springs from the fourth channel portion, each side plate member also having a slot extending longitudinally therealong, a carriage movable longitudinally along the side plate members between retracted and advanced positions and including a bar longitudinally slidable in each slot of the side plate members, a pair of arms on the inside of the side plate members and carried by the carriage and movable along the first channel portion as the carriage is advanced and retracted, said pair of arms having coil spring engaging surfaces for engaging the end turns of the coil springs received in the first channel portion and advancing them past the step into the second channel portion as the carriageis advanced, a stationary shoulder located adjacent the first step in the side plate members and engaged by 17 the end turns of the coil springs as they are advanced by the arms for confining the same during such advancement between the shoulder and the engaging surfaces of the arms to cause the coil springs to rotate forwardly as they are advanced from the first channel portion to the second channel portion, each of said bars of said carriage being stepped in relation to the steps of the side plate members forming the channel portions therebetween by means of three inwardly facing shoulders arranged therealong, said first, second and third shoulders lying within the confines of the slots in the side plate members when the carriage is retracted, said first, second and third shoulders protruding into the progressively wider second, third and fourth channel portions as the carriage is advanced for engaging the end turns of the coil springs therein to advance the coil springs into the progressively wider third, fourth and fifth channel portions respectively during each advancing movement of the carriage, the third and fourth channel portions being shorter than the diameter of the coil springs so that the coil springs are nested in the fourth channel portion and closely stacked in the fifth channel portion, and means including a pair of rods extending longitudinally between the side plate members along the second, third, fourth and fifth channel portions for engaging the inner convolutions of the coil springs at the first, second and third channel portions thereof l from abovc and below for guiding and forwardly rotating the same as they are progressively advanced along said channel portions.

No references cited. 

